On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, just after the Lantern Festival, a large-scale fight broke out in the Xishan Coal Mine.
It is different from the previous feuds between distinguished nobles. This time, the servants of the Zhang family and the Jin Yiwei are facing off. The result is obvious...
Of the more than 200 people sent by the Zhang brothers, three were killed and nearly 100 were injured. More than 100 were injured and arrested. Only 30 or 40 people fled the scene.
This armed fight shocked the government and the public.
No one thought that the Zhang brothers would act so recklessly and even take the initiative to provoke their own mines to be sealed off by the court. Even the Jin Yiwei people would not look down on them.
At the same time, the court officials were talking a lot, feeling that the Zhang brothers were too stupid. This was no longer Hongzhi. In the Zhengde era, the new emperor had no direct blood relationship with them. Such reckless behavior was tantamount to hitting the muzzle of the gun. Everything that happened subsequently confirmed this view.
...People from Dongchang and Jinyiwei surrounded Shouninghou Mansion and Jianchanghou Mansion.
Inside the palace.
Empress Dowager Zhang urgently summoned Zhu Si to meet him.
Zhu Si went, but this time he brought a lot of people, including Zhang Zuo, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, Huang Jin, the new admiral of the East Factory, and Zhu Chen, the commander of the Jinyiwei, etc... There were dozens of people there, and there were many people who could force Zhang.
The Queen Mother's move to the palace.
"... Queen Mother, I don't understand. Didn't I make everything clear before? Why did the two uncles even ignore the laws of the Ming Dynasty and dare to send people to Xishan to fight against the royal army? The Jin Yiwei injured many people...
Dare I ask my mother how I should teach them a lesson?"
Zhu Si also became tougher this time. At first, he did not assume a submissive and obedient posture, but instead attacked Empress Dowager Zhang.
This is also Zhu Hao's strategy.
The strategy Zhu Hao had previously formulated for Zhu Si was to put your tail between your legs and be a good person. If you can't afford to argue, just endure it, because it is a private matter of the royal family for Empress Dowager Zhang to make him emperor. If Empress Dowager Zhang really wants to depose him, even if the matter is
Failure to do so would also cast doubt on the legitimacy of Zhu Si's throne.
But now that the Zhang brothers have committed crimes, Zhu Si no longer needs to swallow his anger, because it involves a dispute between the royal family and his relatives. If the Queen Mother Zhang favors her natal family, it will trigger opposition from court officials and vassal kings from all over the country.
And Zhu Hao knew very well that Empress Dowager Zhang was a paper tiger in history. Ever since she agreed to adopt the crown prince of Prince Xing as her own son, she had done nothing. Her influence in the Jiajing Dynasty was not even as great as that of the chief minister Yang Tinghe.
.
It's time to put Queen Mother Zhang out.
Zhang Taihou was indeed no longer as tough as before. Uncharacteristically, she instead spoke in a consultative tone: "Emperor, Shouning Marquis and Jianchang Marquis are always your uncles. No matter how wrong they are, they are also your relatives. If you can forgive me, please forgive me."
Zhu Si said angrily, "But Queen Mother, what they did is clearly to slap the face of the Ming Dynasty. This morning, the imperial court impeached them. The piles of memorials could be piled up into a small mountain. All the courtiers suggested that I punish the two of them severely. Is it possible that they should be punished severely?"
Because they are uncles of the state, I will not obey the law."
Queen Mother Zhang looked embarrassed.
She herself also found it unbelievable. Could it be that the two younger brothers were really blinded by lard, and they dared to send servants to fight with the royal guards? Is this crazy?
Huang Jin tried to smooth things over: "Your Majesty, this case should be investigated in detail. The superficial circumstances cannot be blamed on Shouning Hou and Jianchang Hou. Maybe there is something hidden behind it."
Queen Mother Zhang heard this.
Good guy, some people on the step-son side can’t stand it anymore and want to speak up for the two younger brothers of the Ai family.
Originally, Huang Jin was an intruder in the eyes of Empress Dowager Zhang and the palace elders. His appointment as eunuch was the result of squeezing out Zhang Yong, who had outstanding achievements. His reputation could not be compared with Zhang Yong's. This time, the admiral of Dongchang was replaced by Xiao Jing, a veteran of several dynasties.
Empress Dowager Zhang originally wanted to find an opportunity to send Huang Jin away directly, but after hearing these words, she suddenly felt that this person might be useful.
Zhu Si glared at Huang Jin: "What's the secret? Could it be that someone is sowing discord behind my back and deliberately alienating my relationship with my two uncles?"
Zhu Si had an angry look on his face. He didn't even salute, but simply said "I'll take my leave" and led the people out of Renshou Palace.
…
…
After Zhu Si returned to Qianqing Palace, he immediately approached him
The attendant changed into regular clothes and prepared to leave the palace to see Zhu Hao.
Today was such a relief for him. He didn't even think about why the previously aloof and arrogant Empress Dowager Zhang would act so weak and beg in a low voice for her two younger brothers.
Zhu Hao's strategy was so accurate that it immediately suppressed the arrogance of Empress Dowager Zhang and the relatives behind her.
"Check it out later."
Zhu Si had previously glared at Huang Jin with his beard, but now his expression softened, and there was a faint smile on his lips, but he still pointed out the shortcomings, "Huang Jin, you should wait until I say it's about time before you come out to pick up the fight... It seems like you I'm still too nervous, wait until I see Zhu Hao and follow his orders."
Zhang Zuo, who was waiting for Zhu Si to change clothes, asked: "Your Majesty, when investigating the case in Dongchang, should Mr. Zhu's opinion also prevail?"
Zhu Si turned his head and looked at Zhang Zuo: "Do you think this kind of thing can be left to others?"
When Zhang Zuo heard this, something was wrong.
It is better not to do anything against the emperor's wishes, especially when it comes to the relationship between the emperor and Zhu Hao. Try to say a few nice words and praise Zhu Hao to the heavens and the earth.
Otherwise, you will cause trouble for yourself.
"Mr. Zhu has great supernatural powers and can predict enemies like a god... I am afraid that he will not take care of the affairs of the East Factory." Zhang Zuo tried his best to excuse himself.
Zhu Si looked proud: "If the case can also involve the person named Yang, it will be considered a great victory. Even if the old one can't do it, the younger one can be brought in. After a big punishment, Make sure he can't eat and carry around..."
Zhang Zuo glanced at Huang Jin and found that Huang Jin was much more cautious than him. After listening to Zhu Si's words, he just kept them in his heart without even changing his expression.
Now even Zhang Zuo could see that Huang Jin was indeed a talent that could be developed. No wonder Zhu Hao promoted Huang Jin so quickly.
…
…
The official office of the imperial palace, where Zhu Hao and Zhu Si had a secret meeting.
After Zhu Si saw Zhu Hao, he immediately told the whole story about how he got mad at the ministers in the court, scolded the Zhang family brother and said he would be punished severely, and then went to the Empress Dowager Zhang to win back face.
Young people can't hide secrets, especially in front of a good friend like Zhu Hao.
Zhu Si finally said: "Zhu Hao, my opinion is that even if we can't get Old Man Yang in, if his son goes with you to instigate the two grandsons of the Zhang family, we should take him down no matter what."
Zhu Hao said: "Your Majesty felt relieved when he got angry in front of the Queen Mother. But the purpose of punishing the Yang family and his son is why we don't need to worry about them turning around and taking revenge?"
"They have exposed their flaws, do they dare to retaliate?"
Zhu Si looked disdainful.
Zhu Hao sighed and said: "Your Majesty, please don't forget that Yang Yongxiu took the initiative to ask me to report and expose this matter. This shows that the intention of Mr. Yang and his son is not to cause the imperial court to suffer... The imperial court is prepared, and the only thing that will suffer is the failure."
They could be the second cousin of the Zhang family. It seems like they were the ones who tipped off the people behind the scenes, so they have a lot of merit."
"You can still think so"
Zhu Si obviously didn't think the Yang family and his son had any good intentions.
As a political enemy, Zhu Si's prejudice against Yang Ting and his son was deep-rooted, but Zhu Hao repeatedly stopped him, otherwise Zhu Si would definitely take action against Yang Tinghe and his son.
Especially when Zhu Si feels that he has the overall situation under control.
But Zhu Hao knew that it was only on the surface that Zhu Si's throne was stable, but the civil servants and Empress Dowager Zhang combined to still have the qualifications to depose the emperor. Even the ministers in charge of the army were not completely on the side of the new emperor.
aside.
In order to completely consolidate the imperial power, the only way is to drive Yang Tinghe away and make it difficult for the remaining civil servants to unite as one.
Zhu Hao said, "Your Majesty, do you still remember what I told you? Since the Hongzhi period, college students have gradually become the de facto prime ministers of the Ming Dynasty. Since ancient times, the prime minister's power has been too great, which will seriously threaten the imperial power. If you want to maintain the imperial power, you must make the prime minister."
Quan can’t be suppressed!”
"oh."
Zhu Si nodded, but didn't really want to hear it.
Zhu Hao continued, "The emperor and the prime minister are in harmony, just on the surface. The prime minister is thinking about how to consolidate the power at hand. Even if he dare not challenge the imperial power on the surface, there is no guarantee that they will not play some conspiracy secretly. The palace
Arson is one of the methods, the next step..."
"Stop talking, I'll just listen to you."
Zhu Si smiled and said, "Zhu Hao, you are still the same as before. You always regard yourself as your teacher and like to teach me when you have nothing to do! In fact, I understand these principles. It is not yet time to touch the Yang family and his son. I and Dongchang
I have told the people in Jinyiwei that this matter will be subject to your arrangement. I will be watching from the sidelines to see how you deal with the two sons of the Zhang family. Just don't let me down!
"Let's go, let's go, I'm going to the theater. Oh, by the way, Miss Gongzhi has put on a new play, right? Let her come to the palace to perform for me later..."
…
…
The case of the Zhang brothers was originally planned by Zhu Hao and helped Zhu Si gain face, so the case was naturally handed over to Zhu Hao.
About Gong Yeling...
Zhu Hao originally thought that it was just a beautiful but unrealistic dream of chasing stars when Zhu Si was a young boy. Unexpectedly, now that Zhu Si has grown up and understands the affairs of men and women, he still misses Gong Yeling.
It is estimated that in the next step, Gong Zhiling will be brought to the palace by Zhu Si, and even if she has no title, she will become a de facto concubine.
Zhu Hao didn't know what to say.
When Gong Zhiling appeared in front of Zhu Si like a god descending from the earth, the impression left on the young man's heart was so beautiful that he was like Zhu Si's childhood dream lover.
Now that I am powerful, I want to take the woman of my dreams as my own...
Gong Yeling is already quite old, but actually this is not a bad thing for the two of them.
But Zhu Hao always felt that there was a tendency to bring Zhu Si to his grandfather's situation, but Gong Zhiling shouldn't be able to become the second Wan Zhen'er, right?
"gentlemen."
While Zhu Si was enjoying watching the play in the theater, Huang Jin appeared in front of Zhu Hao who was immersed in reviewing memorials, with a respectful look on his face.
As the owner of Dongchang, he treated Zhu Hao with utmost respect, as if the person in charge of Dongchang now was Zhu Hao.
Zhu Hao turned his head, nodded, and responded: "Eunuch Huang, you are too polite. You can call me Zhu Hao, or you can call me respectfully."
"Don't dare."
Huang Jin is more reserved than Zhang Zuo.
Zhu Hao said: "His Majesty asked me to be responsible for investigating the Zhang family's relatives, then we may have to work together!"